After two outings inexplicably devoid of any trace of humor despite their ridiculous concepts, this third chapter in the Twisted Childhood Universe actually manages to justify being so freaking grimdark with its subject matter. Anything dealing with the abduction of children in this manner should absolutely be this creepy and uncomfortable to watch. The overall tone mixed with a few moments of genuinely shocking depravity and some of the most brutal violence this side of the Terrifier franchise makes for some surprisingly solid horror. Altogether creating the first installment in this baffling and still unfolding cinematic universe that I legitimately kind of like.  It won’t work for everyone. Like its predecessors, many will find this to be little more than “edginess” for the sake of “edginess” thanks to it continuing the unrelenting bleakness and nastiness of its predecessors. You can also clearly see the areas where it’s outright borrowing from bigger genre hits such as Andy Muschietti’s IT movies, among others. If they were going to ape anything though, at least they’re aping the best where it counts and while not skipping out on including their own original bits to give the project an identity of its own. Plus, the whole thing is executed FAR better than the two Blood and Honey flicks prior (the acting is unexpectedly quite good). Establishing that Scott Chambers is currently the best thing to happen to this growing collection of gruesome reimaginings of beloved children’s properties that have hit the public domain, outside of this entry itself, and for more than just his role as Christopher Robin in the film’s 2024 sibling. I’m honestly a little impressed here.